Back in the day there was something called Liquid Audio (IIRC). They had an early AAC encoder which was slow and cumbersome. It wasn't free either. I searched for it and ended up with something called AVS Audio Converter. I have no idea whatsoever about quality or speed, nada. But it might be worth checking out.

I was going to mention Liquid Audio. I remember that from really back in the day. My PC actually came with a copy of their software that allowed for unlimited CD ripping. The only thing is that the application would consume over 40% of my 256MHz processor (Pentium II mmx) and 50% of my 256MB of RAM. Not something I like especially considering that the software that came with my Rio 600 consumed far less.

Sony has an AAC encoder that they put in their PS3, I believe it is also in their Media Go software. I am not sure if the encoder was developed by Sony. The PS3 version wraps the AAC audio in a 3gp container. Something to think about. I could always encode a 30 second test file (I would have to burn an audio CD from the source lossless file) using my PS3 and upload it if you wanted to examine the encoder. There is also something called the LEAD AAC encoder. Lastly, I believe that there is an ffmpeg AAC encoder floating around somewhere.

I don't know if any of these encoders are actually good but they are something else to look at. The AAC encoder used by the PS3 has not been tested but I know that many, many, many, many people use it for their audio ripping needs (not that user community size is a measure of quality).

Thanks to Everybody for answers. There's a lot of work to verify quality of encoders. But I think some of them can be discard at early stage.

This is a preparation for some kind of all-AAC listening test?

QUOTE (IgorC @ Dec 8 2009, 01:19)

Divx and Mainconcept have the same AAC encoder.

I thought so too, given that MainConcept is the subsidiary of DivX, Inc., but the DivX Labs page (http://labs.divx.com/node/11682) seems to imply that's it's something new, as if there were two versions - I doubt Sony would implement a beta into their precious software.

As for your question about the full functionality of MAGIX MP3 Maker, it offers bitrates up to 256 kbps stereo even though FhG can go up to 512. Same goes for AVS application: 256 is the maximum setting.

As for your question about the full functionality of MAGIX MP3 Maker, it offers bitrates up to 256 kbps stereo even though FhG can go up to 512. Same goes for AVS application: 256 is the maximum setting.

Fraunhofer, as far as I know, only in MP3 Maker. It's probably the codec that's the most intriguing for AAC people on HA since it's nowhere to be found and the Gesellschaft doesn't give it away for testing. Only if you're a research scientist in some university or institute.

QUOTE (Sylph @ Dec 8 2009, 06:51)

The initial idea is create a list of AAC encoders. Then at least it will be personal test from my part or a public test is an option too.

OK. This should be interesting. I'd love it if there were a newer public test for Apple, Nero, Dolby, Fraunhofer, Real and possibly AVS if it's confirmed it's a separate type.

IIRC some person called Kostya worked on it. The main target was higher than FAAC quality. Didn't find more information.

It was being developed further by Alex Converse/peloverde, but he stopped to work on the ffmpeg-native SBR decoder. I don't know how it progressed before that, but you can find the source in ffmpeg svn somewhere.